Set comprising an infantry weapon and its ammunition

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a set comprising an infantry weapon capable of being fired from the shoulder, and ammunition for the same, the said weapon comprising at least one tubular body for guiding a self-propelled projectile which is housed in a case and a control device for firing the projectile. This weapon has at the rear of the said tubular body a device for the ratchet-wise locking of the front end of the case, in the vicinity of which is the nose of the projectile, so that the case is located in the extension of the tubular body of the weapon. Means are provided for releasing the said case during the period of time elapsing between firing of the projectile and its emergence from the front end of the tubular guide body of the weapon and for ejecting the case once the projectile has left this.

[ Dec. 25, 1973 1 SET COMPRISING AN INFANTRY WEAPON AND ITS AMMUNITION [75] Inventor: Maurice Rusbach, Vernier-Beneva,

Switzerland [73] Assignee: Sal-mac S. A., Carouge-Geneve,

Switzerland 22 Filed: May 10, 1971 21 Appl.No.:141,700

' [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 4/1962 Musser 89/1.706

3,005,386 10/1961 Musser .."89/l.706 2,920,533 l/l960 Musser... 89/1.706 3,677,131 7/1972 Nee 89/1 706 Primary Examiner-Samuel W. Engle Att0rneyYoung & Thompson [5 7] ABSTCT The invention relates to a set comprising an infantry weapon capable of being fired from the shoulder, and ammunition for the same, the said weapon comprising at least one tubular body for guiding a self-propelled projectile which is housed in a case and a control device for firing the projectile. This weapon has at the rear of the said tubular body a device for the ratchetwise locking of the front end of the case, in the vicinity of which is the nose of the projectile, so that the case is located in the extension of the tubular body of the weapon. Means are provided for releasing the said case during the period of time elapsing between firing of the projectile and its emergence from the front end of the tubular guide body of the weapon and for ejecting the case once the projectile has left this.

7 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUEBZS ma SHEEI 01. 0F 12 WHMP/f faraway PATENTED HEB 2 5 i973 SHEEI 030F 12 PATEHTED m we SHEET 05 0F 12 4%? we: 04 50 CH PATH 11 0 2 3,780,616

SHEET 08 0F 12 EY/XWIJMM PATEWEU DEC 2 51973 SHEET IZUF 12 FIG.19

SET COMFRISING AN INFANTRY WEAPON AND I HTS AMMUNITION The self-propelled projectiles intended for use by the infantry and of the rocket and missile type are generally packed in lightweight cases such as cardboard tubes. These cases can only serve to protect the projectiles during handling, storage and transport or, again, they may be used as a weapon. In this latter case they are often provided with a rudimentary sight and a firing means; these launching cases are thrown away after a single firing.

The object of the present invention is a set comprising an individual portable infantry weapon of the rocket-launcher type, and its ammunition.

The weapon comprises at least a tubular body for guiding a self-propelled projectile which is contained in a case and a means of controlling the firing of the projectile.

The set according to the invention is characterised in that the weapon has at the rear of the said tubular body a means for ratchetwise locking of the front end of the case, in the vicinity of which is located the nose of the projectile, so that the case is in the extension of the tubular body of the weapon, and means for unlocking the said case during the period of time elapsing between the firing of the projectile and its exit via the front end of the tubular body for guiding the weapon, and means for ejecting the case once the projectile has left it.

By way of example, the attached drawings show an embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, and also variations of detail.

FIG. l is an overall elevation of a repeater weapon comprising three tubular guide bodies for three projectiles contained in three different cases.

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal section with part torn away, showing the means for locking two cases in two adjacent guide bodies of the weapon shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line llllll of FIG. 2, likewise showing the means for locking the third guide body of the weapon.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternative means for locking the cases.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of a guide body of the weapon in longitudinal section showing another embodiment of the means for locking the case.

FIGS. '7 and 8 are partial views of a guide body of the weapon, in longitudinal section, showing a means for locking the case, operated mechanically by the trigger of the weapon.

FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows mechanical operation of the device in FIGS. '7 and 8 by the trigger of the weapon.

FIGS. 10 and II diagrammatically show the firing distributor selector of the weapon.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are longitudinal sections respectively through the rear and front of a case.

FIGS. l4, l5 and 16 show alternative forms of the rear of the case, likewise in longitudinal section.

FIGS. l7, l8 and 19 show alternative forms of the retaining abutment for the projectile.

The repeater weapon shown in FIG. I comprises three tubular guide bodies 1, 2 and 3 (see also FIGS. 3 and 5). Each of the projectiles illustrated diagrammatically at 4 in FIG. 6 is contained in a case 5 adapted to be mounted, at the rear part 6 of the weapon, in the extension of one of the tubular guide bodies I, 2 and 3.

For this purpose, each of the tubular guide bodies has at its rear end 6 a coupling member of a case 5, having a larger inside diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the front end 7 of the case 5. Thus, the case 5, the inside diameter of which corresponds to that of the corresponding tubular guide body, is positioned endto-end with this latter and will be perfectly centred. A ratchetwise locking device for securing the front end 7 of the case 5, in the vicinity of which is the nose of the projectile, is also provided at the rear end 6 of each of the tubular bodies of the weapon.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the device for locking the cases 5 to the rear part 6 of the weapon comprises a ratchet 8 mounted on the periphery of each of the tubular guide bodies of the weapon and provided with a nose piece F adapted to engage in an orifice Ill provided at the rear end 6 of the said tubular bodies. In the position of closure, the ratchet 8 tightly occludes the orifice 10 of the tubular body by the action of a spring Ill. The end 12 of the nosepiece 9 then projects inside the tubular body so as to engage ratchetwise into a peripheral circular groove 13 on the case 5 and so lock it in the firing position. Simultaneously, the ratchet 8 closes a switch, not shown, linked into the electrical projectile firing circuit. This switch, while it is open, interrupts the flow of supply current to the electricallyoperated detonator 27 (see FIG. 7) which can therefore only be fired once the end 12 of the nosepiece 9 of the ratchet 8 is perfectly engaged into the peripheral circular groove 13 on the case 5. Provided in the bottom of the groove 13 on the case 5 are a plurality of orifices I4 through which some of the propulsion gases of the projectile will escape after it has been fired and passed the level of the said orifices I4. These gases are decelerated by an inner peripheral shoulder l5 around the case, at right-angles to the orifices l4 and are directed through these orifices I4!- and the outer groove 13 of the case towards the orifice ill of the corresponding tubular body of the weapon. Under the pressure of these gases, the ratchet 8 is pushed back against the action of the spring Ill, causing the case to be released from the locked state. At its junction with the tubular body of the weapon, the case 5 also has three internal peripheral shoulders I6 against which the propulsion gases will act, during a second stage, the effect being to eject the case immediately it has been unlocked.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking device consists of a similar ratchet which is however orientated at in relation to that which has just been described, parallel with the axis of the weapon.

In both cases, a lever arm 17 allows manual release of the cases 5 in the event of shots which have not fired.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the nosepiece 9 of the ratchet S situated parallel with the axis of the weapon likewise penetrates a peripheral circular groove 13 of the case through an orifice It) in the tubular body of the weapon under the action of a spring Ill. The ratchet 8 extends however beyond the nosepiece 9 and has on this extension a projection 18 which penetrates to the interior of the tubular guide body of the weapon, on this side of its end which is coupled with the case, via an orifice 19. During its passage through the tubular guide body of the weapon, after it has been fired, the projectile 4 will push back the projection 18 and cause releasing of the case 5. However, in order to avoid the case being relocked by a rapid return of the ratchet 8 under the action of the spring 11, a notched wheel 20 is provided, which will be thrown in the direction of the arrow by a projection 21 which is provided on the free end of the ratchet 8 during passage of the projectile 4 and will then, restoring its energy, arrest the return of the ratchet 8 for a period of time sufficient to enable the propulsion gases of the projectile to eject the case and so avoid the nosepiece 9 again engaging into the groove 13 of this latter.

In this alternative embodiment, a lever arm 17 likewise allows manual unlocking of the case.

The alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5. Unlocking of the case is however no longer carried out under the action of the propulsion gases of the projectile but by mechanical control. simultaneously with the firing of the projectile, a rod 22 articulated on the trigger 13 of the weapon (see FIG. 9) mechanically operating the lever 17 of the ratchet 8 via a return bracket 24 when the projectile is fired and, so long as the firer maintains his finger on the trigger 23 for a sufficiently long time, the case 5 will be ejected by the propulsion gases of the projectile acting on the inner peripheral shoulders 16.

FIGS. and I1 diagrammatically show the firing distributor selector of the weapon for successive firing of three projectiles. This selector is housed in the grip 24 of the weapon which also contains an electromagnetic generator 25 and on which are also mounted a safety device 26 and the trigger 23 which operates the magnet of the generator.

The generator 25 is connected directly by one of its poles to the electrically operated detonators 27 of the 3 projectiles through a terminal 28, which is provided on each of the tubular bodies of the weapon, and a contact ring 29 which is provided on each of the cases 5 (see FIG. 7). The cases 5 and their electrical connections will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

A further pole of the generator is connected to the electrically operated detonators through a switch 26 which constitutes the safety device of the weapon and a distributor selector 30 which is itself connected through 3 safety switches securing locking of the cases 38a, 38b and 38c, to the terminals 31 of 3 tubular bodies in contact with the rings 32 of 3 cases 5.

As shown in FIG. 7, the coupling member for the case which each of the tubular guide bodies has at its rear end 6 comprises two internal annular surfaces 40 and 41 of different diameter. The first annular surface 40 has a diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the coupling end of the case and the second 41 has a diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the body of the case so as to provide an annular space 39 in the area in which are provided the terminals 28 and 31 of the weapon, enabling the projectile propulsion gases to expand at the time of ejection of the case 5 so as to avoid oxidation of the said terminals 28 and 31 of the weapon.

The firing distributor selector 30 comprises an insulating rotary support 33 provided with electrical contacts 34 corresponding to each of the tubular guide bodies driven in rotation about its axis 35'by a ratchet wheel 36 operated by the trigger 23 through a ratchet 37.

The firing distributor selector functions in the following manner:

Three cases 5, each containing a projectile, the electrically operated detonators of which are designated 27a, 27b and 270 in FIG. 10, being mounted at the rear of each of the tubular guide bodies 1, 2 and 3, their contact rings 29 and 32 being connected to the terminals 28 and 31 of the respective guide tube (see FIG. 7), it can be seen in FIG. 10 that the electric contact 34a of the insulating support 33 is connected to the electrically operated detonator 27a of a first case 5, while the contact 34a connected to the contact 34a is connected to one of the terminals of the switch 23. If the switch 26 (safety) is closed, and the switch 23 (trigger) is closed, the electric circuit of the electromagnetic generator 25 detonator 27a is closed and a first shot is fired (see FIG. 11). But at the same time as the trigger 23 is squeezed, the ratchet 37 is advanced by one notch on the ratchet wheel 36 and by releasing the trigger, this ratchet 37 rotates the ratchet wheel 36 by one notch, so connecting the electric contact 34b with the electrically operated detonator 27b of a second case 5, while the contact 34b linked with the contact 34b is connected to one of the terminals of the switch 23.

It can therefore be seen to be possible to fire three successive shots without having to reload the weapon.

The case shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 of the drawings comprises a tube 5 provided with a removable end 42 extending inside the tube and having a breech plug 43 in its centre. A cup 44 fixed to the removable end of the case is designed for elastic engagement over the frustoconical blast pipe 45, provided with an obturator and sealing ring 53, ofa projectile 4 housed in the case. An abutment consisting of a circular split seal 46 engaged in a circular groove 47 provided at the rear of the tube 5 in the inner face of its wall prevents any axial displacement towards the rear of the projectile 4. This latter is thus held securely in place in the case on the one hand by the cup 44 secured to the end 42 of the tube 5 and on the other by the seal 46, all these retaining members being automatically ejected by the propulsion gases when the projectile is fired. It will be noted that by virtue of this double retention of the projectile by the cup 44 secured to the end 42 of the tube on the one hand and by the seal 46 on the other, the tube 5 constituting the body of the case is not subject to any reaction when the projectile 4 is fired. In order to compensate for the throttling produced by the seal 46, it is possible slightly to flare the rear part of the case and thus produce a blast-pipe effect.

The body of the case consisting of the tube 5 may be made for example from a cardboard, plastics material, metal sheet etc. Its end 42 may advantageously be of moulded plastics material while the breech plug 43 and the cup 44, as well as its means of connection to the end 42 and the seal 46 may be of metal for example.

As shown in FIG. 13, the front part of the case is provided with contact rings 29 and 32 connected to an electrically operated detonator for firing the projectile 4, which can be mounted on the ring 53 in the blastpipe 45. The contact rings 29 and 32 will be connected to terminals of the weapon, themselves connected to a firing control device.

The front of the case also has an outer circular groove 13 constituting a part of a coupling intended to allow locking of the case in the extension of the barrel of the weapon, and means for ensuring its release and automatic ejection after the shot has left, under the action of the projectile propulsion gases. The case release means comprise orifices l4 provided in the end of the outer circular groove ill of the case in which the gases will exert a thrust on the means for locking the case to the weapon. The ejector means comprise internal peripheral shoulders and l6 of the case on which the gases will exert a thrust producing automatic ejection of the case once it has been released.

The case is closed at the front by a cover 48 which covers both the said contact rings 29 and 32 and the circular peripheral groove 13 which incorporates orifices M. An adhesive strip 49 covers the joint between the edge of the cover 48 and the tube 5 so as to ensure a leak-proof closure. The cover 418 is preferably at least partially metallic or is electrically conductive so as to short-circuit the contact rings 29 and 32 to dissipate any parasite currents.

Numerous other means for coupling the case to the barrel of the weapon, or to a tubular body for guiding the projectile which may be incorporated in the weapon, may be envisaged. The groove 13 may for example be replaced by a screwthreading with three partial threads capable of being locked by rotation by a fraction of a turn into the corresponding coupling members of the weapon or by a series of ratchet housing or orifices, etc.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the projectile retaining means l consists of a cup 67 made from thin sheet shrunk onto the frustoconical blastpipe 45, its sealing ring 53 and a frustoconical member 68 affording connection to the end of the case 42. The connecting member 68 has tongues 69 by which it can be fixed ratchetwise into a central orifice in the end of the case 42. In this alternative embodiment, the rear abutment of the projectile consists of a cardboard ring 63 and an aluminium ring 71 against which the bentover stabilising fins 65 of the projectile 4 can bear. Once again, the result is that the tube 5 constituting the body of the case will not be subject to any reaction when the projectile 4 is fired.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the projectile retaining device comprises a cup cut from a thin sheet, shrunk onto the frustoconical blast-pipe 45 of the projectile Al and connected to the end of the case 42 by a screw 51.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the means for retaining the projectile 4 comprises a plug of flexible and lightweight material 56 having a peripheral groove 57, an axial duct 58 and an inner peripheral shoulder 59. The plug 56 is introduced with force into the frustoconical blast pipe 45 until its screw 57 fits over the inner restriction 60 of the blast-pipe. A rigid breech plug 61 is then introduced with force into the axial duct 58 of the plug 56 until an elastic pin 62 provided on it bears against the said inner peripheral shoulder 59 of the axial duct 58 in the plug 56. In this embodiment, the flexible plug 56 and its rigid breech plug 61 together form both the removable end of the case and the projectile retaining means.

Of course, it is also possible to use a solid plug made from material having sufficient elasticity to allow its deformation while it is passing the restriction in the blastpipe. Preferably, such a plug will be capable of shattering when ejected under the effect of propulsion gases.

Numerous other embodiments of the means for retaining the projectile at the rear may also be taken into consideration within the scope of the invention. The same applies to the retaining abutment.

The seal 46 (see FIG. 12) may be of the split or cup type or may be continuous but made elastic by deformation. Preferably, it has thin portions facilitating breakage. The groove into which the seal is fitted is preferably widened towards the rear of the case in order to facilitate ejection of the seal by the projectile propulsion gases. As shown in FIGS. I5 and 16, the retaining abutment may consist of a simple cardboard ring 63.

In FIG. 17, a particularly interesting version of this abutment is shown, consisting of slots 64 provided in the wall of the tube 5 into which engage elastic studs 66, concealed when the projectile leaves, provided on the folded-back stabiliser fins 65 of the projectile 4.. In order to ensure leakproofness of the case, these slots 64 will be covered by a preferably adhesive strip applied on the outer face of the case. Alternatively, a leakproof covering could for example be applied over these slots.

According to another alternative embodiment of the abutmnent shown in FIG. 18, where the elastic stud does not engage into a slot 64 provided in the wall of the tube 5, it is constituted by the extension 96 ofa fork 97 adapted to engage over the rear edge of the foldedback fins 65 of the projectile 4. Preferably the fork 97 and the elastic stud 96 are part of a metal crown 98 from which they are cut in order to facilitate positioning in the tube 5. The crown 98 will in this case be mounted on the removable end 42 of the case and positioned with it on the rear of the projectile 4), its forks 97 engaging over the rear edge of the folded-back fins 65 of the projectile, while the cup 44 which is rigid with the removable end 42 of the case, engages over the edge of its blast-pipe 45. The projectile fitted with the crown 98 and the removable end 42 of the case is then introduced by the rear into the tube 5 and elastic studs will engage into their respective slots 64 when they are brought into position opposite these latter. At the time of firing the shot, the projectile propulsion gases will successively eject the end 42 of the case and the crown 98, the studs 96 on which are then no longer locked in the slots 64 in the tube 5 which constitutes the body of the case, via the wall 99 of the removable end 42. Thus the body of the case will not be subject to any recoil when the projectile 4 is fired.

Another form of abutment may also be provided by driving into the inner wall of the tube 5 rivets 92, the heads of which have a milling 93 in which the rear edge of the folded-back fins 65 of the projectile will be seated (see FIG. 19). The rivets 92 have in their end 94 which projects outside the tube 5 a transverse duct which is at a right-angle in respect of the milling 93, in which engages a metal wire connecting all the rivets in order to ensure positioning of their respective milling parallel with the axis of the case, in order that all millings 93 are oriented opposite the rear edge of the folded-back fins 65, since they have to engage into these latter.

In the event of the projectile having elastically deformable stabiliser fins, they can likewise bear on the shoulder of the groove cut in the inner wall of the case.

Combining the projectile retaining means fixed to the removable bottom of the case, preventing any axial displacement of the projectile forwards, and the retaining abutment preventing any axial displacement of the projectile to the rear, avoids the need for wedging this latter by means of a front cover.

Thus, everything is ready for immobilising the projectile axially, since it cannot be separated from the case until after the projectile has left, under the action of propulsion gases, this without exerting any reaction on the body of the case.

The fact that the cover does not participate in the wedging of the projectile into the case is particularly interesting, since the front cover of the case has to be removed before the case is mounted on the weapon. The fact that the body of the case suffers no reaction at the time of firing the shot is likewise very advantageous since the weapon to the barrel of which the case is fixed is a possible repeater weapon capable of being brought to the shoulder.

When a front cover is provided, the sole function of this latter is to seal and reinforce the case and provide any necessary protection and short-circuiting of electrical contacts.

By reason of the wedging of the projectile between the removable end of the case which is directly attached to the projectile and automatically ejected when the shot is fired, and a retaining abutment capable of being ejected, the body of the case is not subject to any recoil when the shot is fired, which is not the case for conventional retaining means such as shearing pins etc. which also have the disadvantage of low resistance to shocks.

The case may be cheaply produced by means of straightforward tubes of cardboard for example, just as its retaining means and ejectable end may be constructed of pressed metal plate or plastics material for example.

The means for fixing firing contacts and lockingrelease devices and ejection means to the barrel of a weapon are likewise simple and inexpensive. Due to the fact that the body of the case suffers no recoil during firing of the shot, the weapon itself will not suffer any reaction when the projectile is fired. It should also be noted that it will suffice to remove the front cover of the case when it is fixed to the barrel of the weapon, the end of the case being ejected automatically when the shot is fired.

The unlocking and automatic ejection means with which the case is provided are particularly advantageous since they avoid the need for manual detachment of empty cases from the barrel of the weapon.

It goes without saying that numerous other alternative embodiments of the weapon described above may also be envisaged. In particular, the number of tubular guide members may be increased or reduced, the firing means simplified or modified, another type of current generator may be provided for firing (piezoelectrical, battery-operated etc.) and another type of firing distributor selector may be used. In the event of the weapon having only one single tubular guide body, this guide distributor selector could be dispensed with entirely. The use of a mechanical or pyrotechnic firing means could also be envisaged.

Instead of providing a plurality of tubular guide members in the repeater weapon, it would be possible to mount a cylinder on a single tubular guide body, the cases being mounted in corresponding orifices in the cylinder. An automatic drive means could be provided so that after each shot is fired a loaded case is brought into the extension of the said tubular guide body and so that the case from which the ammunition has just been used can be ejected.

The weapon described is short, light, easily handled, simple, rugged and easy to use. When it is loaded, it is sufficient to remove the front cover ofthe case containing the ammunition before engaging it partially at the rear of one of the tubular guide bodies of the weapon, which locks it mechanically. Automatic ejection of the case after departure of the projectile provides for an appreciable saving on time for reloading, the rear of each tubular guide body being already vacated.

The possibility of carrying out repeated firing which obviates the user requiring to lose the aim of his weapon, gives him moreover greater automony by substantially increasing his means ofindividual action, particularly when firing from an embrasure. The infantryman may, inter alia, thanks to the accuracy of his firing and the impact power of the projectile, act immediately and by himself and radically reduce the majority of enemy workings which constitute obstacles to his progress, without having to resort to the assistance of other weapons including heavy or mechanised types. Relatively small small calibres make it possible to provide low-weight ammunition and also enable the infantryman to carry a large number of projectiles. These calibres are approximately half the size of the bazooka.

No long or delicate manoeuvre is necessary to use the weapon described. Indeed, the user inserts the cases which are automatically set and, during firing, they leave at the rear of the weapon without intervention of the user.

This weapon, adapted for shoulder use, is particularly indicated for the infantryman moving through hazardous terrain or for airborne troops, parachutists or commandos who are generally left entirely to themselves, with no support. Designed for effective action, that is to say with accuracy and power, up to a distance which for the infantryman overcomes the great difficulties of approaching which all that comprises in terms of risks, the offensive support weapon described, by virtue of its universal qualities, offers the solution of continuity which is hitherto absent from all other weapons in service, allowing them to remain within their specialised field and avoiding the need to use them inappropriately with an unsatisfactory efficiency.

Being far lighter than a recoil weapon which would achieve the same performance, the weapon described does in fact provide the infantryman with portable artillery firing a projectile of initially high velocity, enabling him to destroy, highly probably at first shot, works, entrenchments and installations of the enemy, thanks to the relatively flat trajectory of the projectile, the travelling time of which is short.

In order to gain an idea of the facilities of transport and handling of this lightweight weapon, it should be pointed out that the weight of the weapon described may be less than 10 lbs and that of the projectile may be close to 1 1b., its initial velocity being for example comprised between 200 and 300 m/sec.

The weapon described is naturally capable of firing several types of ammunition including among others a mixed anti-tank and anti-personnel projectile.

We claim I. An infantry weapon with ammunition therefor, comprising at least one tubular body for guiding a selfpropelled projectile, a case containing a said projectile,

said tubular body having at its rear a coupling member of larger inside diameter than the inside diameter of the body to receive the forward end of said case, the inside diameter of the case being the same as that of the body and being in end-to-end alignment with the body, locking means for releasably retaining the forward end of the case in said coupling member, said locking means comprising at least one connecting member having a free end that extends through said coupling member and engages in a recess in the case, a return spring urging said free end into said recess, said recess being a peripheral groove in said case, trigger means movable in a firing direction to fire the projectile, means responsive to the action of combustion gases of the projectile to eject the case from the rear end of the tubular member, and mechanical linkage means directly mechanically interconnecting said trigger means and said connecting member, said trigger means bearing directly mechanically against said mechanical linkage means when said trigger means moves in said firing direction to convert movement of said trigger means simultaneously and directly mechanically into movement of said mechanical linkage means in a direction to withdraw said free end of said connecting member from said recess in said case thereby to unlock the case and to permit ejection of the case by the combustion gases of the projectile.

2. A weapon according to claim 1, characterised in that the said connecting member constitutes one of the ends of a ratchet articulated on the outer face of the tubular guide body and adapted to allow manual releasing of the case.

3. A weapon according to claim 1, characterised in that the said case coupling member has two internal annular surfaces of different diameters so as to allow the case to be freed without jamming.

4. A weapon as claimed in claim 1, in which said trigger means closes a circuit to a source of electric current having two terminals located at the rear of said tubular body, said projectile having a detonator therefor which is in electrical connection with two terminals on the case that contact said two terminals on the tubular body when said case is inserted in said tubular body.

5. A weapon as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the said case coupling member has two internal annular surfaces of different diameters so as to allow the case to be freed without jamming.

6. A weapon according to claim 4, and a second switch which acts as a safety member.

7. a weapon according to claim 1, in which said ejecting means comprises internal peripheral shoulders on said casing against which the propulsion gases act. 

1. An infantry weapon with ammunition therefor, comprising at least one tubular body for guiding a self-propelled projectile, a case containing a said projectile, said tubular body having at its rear a coupling member of larger inside diameter than the inside diameter of the body to receive the forward end of said case, the inside diameter of the case being the same as that of the body and being in end-to-end alignment with the body, locking means for releasably retaining the forward end of the case in said coupling member, said locking means comprising at least one connecting member having a free end that extends through said coupling member and engages in a recess in the case, a return spring urging said free end into said recess, said recess being a peripheral groove in said case, trigger means movable in a firing direction to fire the projectile, means responsive to the action of combustion gases of the projectile to eject the case from the rear end of the tubular member, and mechanical linkage means directly mechanically interconnecting said trigger means and said connecting member, said trigger means bearing directly mechanically against said mechanical linkage means when said trigger means moves in said firing direction to convert movement of said trigger means simultaneously and directly mechanically into movement of said mechanical linkage means in a direction to withdraw said free end of said connecting member from said recess in said case thereby to unlock the case and to permit ejection of the case by the combustion gases of the projectile.
 2. A weapon according to claim 1, characterised in that the said connecting member constitutes one of the ends of a ratchet articulated on the outer face of the tubular guide body and adapted to allow manual releasing of the case.
 3. A weapon according to claim 1, characterised in that the said case coupling member has two internal annular surfaces of different diameters so as to allow the case to be freed without jamming.
 4. A weapon as claimed in claim 1, in which said trigger means closes a circuit to a source of electric current having two terminals located at the rear of said tubular body, said projectile having a detonator therefor which is in electrical connection with two terminals on the case that contact said two terminals on the tubular body when said case is inserted in said tubular body.
 5. A weapon as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the said case coupling member has two internal annular surfaces of different diameters so as to allow the case to be freed without jamming.
 6. A weapon according to claim 4, and a second switch which acts as a safety member.
 7. a weapon according to claim 1, in which said ejecting means comprises internal peripheral shoulders on said casing against which the propulsion gases act. 